GHELUVELT : 1st Bn
SOUTH WALES BORDERERS

31st OCTOBER 1914

Part of 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, the 1st South
Wales Borderers crossed to France on 12th August 1914 commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel H.E.B.Leach. It first engaged the enemy near Mons, when men from the
battalion fired on an Uhlan patrol near Peissant on 24th August. It then took
part in the Retreat From Mons, on the Marne and on the Aisne, before moving to
Flanders in October.

Going into the line near Langemarck on 21st
October, the unit fought in the defence of Ypres, suffering heavy casualties
near Poelcapelle. On 31st October the battalion was dug-in along the
Gheluvelt-Poezelhoek Road. It came under concerted attacks in the area of the
Gheluvelt Chateau, being forced back to Polderhoek Chateau. Some elements were
still in a sunken lane in the village, and held until until reached by men of
the 2nd Worcesters. The next day the survivors were withdrawn to Sanctuary Wood.